Most, if not all, of these options will work with all versions of Outlook, including the most recent version (currently Outlook 2016). Don't forget to use thecorrect path for your version of Outlook.exe.
When you have problems with Outlook, you may be prompted to start Outlook by using a specific command line option.
To do that:
Close Outlook.
From the Start menu, run the command (or open the Run command by pressing the Windows key (
) + R-type:
perspective/change
Then click OK to start Outlook. (There is a space between perspective and /.)
This screenshot shows how to enter it, using the /cleanreminders option as an example.
Occasionally you will need to use the full path to Outlook and the command line will look like this (using the correct path for your version of Outlook.exe).
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Outlook.exe" /change
Grades:
Before using a command line switch, you should close Outlook and make sure it is closed from the Processes tab of Task Manager.
Paths that include spaces between words must be enclosed in quotation marks (") and are case sensitive.
If you're using Vista or Windows 7, you can type the command line in the Start Search field on the Start menu or Start screen in Windows 8 and on the Start menu in Windows 10.
You'll need the full path if you want to create desktop shortcuts using a key, such as opening Outlook in a specific folder (use the correct path for your version of Outlook.exe):
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Outlook.exe" /select Outlook:calendar
Frequently used switches:
This group of switches are the most commonly used switches. (The full list of options is in the next section.)
/cleanreminders
Clean and regenerate reminders.
/clean views
Restores the default views. Use it with care, as any custom views you have created will be lost.
/profilename of profile
Loads the specified profile. If your profile name contains a space, enclose your profile name in quotation marks.
This option is useful when there are multiple Windows logon users, each of whom has their own Outlook profile. Create desktop shortcuts to load a specific profile: Use the following command line in the shortcut, replacing my name with your profile name:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Outlook.exe" /profile "Diane Poremsky"
/profiles
Open itchoose profiledialogue regardless ofoptionsconfiguration inToolsmenu.
/resetnavpane
Outlook 2007 and 2010 only. Resets the navigation pane to its default value when Outlook starts.
/resetdobar
Outlook 2007 and 2010 only. Resets the taskbar panel to the default setting when Outlook starts.
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/safe
Starts Outlook without extensions, reading pane, or toolbar customization. It works with all versions.
You can also open Outlook in safe mode by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking the Outlook icon
all switches
/a
Creates an item with the specified file as an attachment.
To use:
Outlook /a "C:\My Documents\tags.doc"
If no element type is specified, the format IPM.Note is assumed. This option cannot be used with message classes that are not based on Outlook.
/altvbanombrearchivootm
Opens the VBA program specified innombrearchivootm, instead of %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\VbaProject.OTM. Use this option when you need to run macros that are not in your VBAProject file.
/auto runmacro name
Opens Outlook and immediately runs the macro specified inmacro name.
/Cmessage class
Creates a new element of the specified message class, works for any valid MAPI form.
Examples:
- /c ipm.activity creates a journal entry
- /c ipm.appointment creates a quote
- /c ipm.contact creates a contact
- /c ipm.note creates an email message
- /c ipm.stickynote creates a note
- /c ipm.task creates a tarea
/checkclient
Ask for the default manager for email, news and contacts.
Starts Outlook and removes the client-based rules. Used by non-Exchange account users.
/cleanmrecords
Delete saved records when a manager or delegate declines a meeting. Used by Exchange Server accounts.
/cleaners
Deletes the search folders from the Microsoft Exchange server store.
/clearfreeoccupied
Clears and regenerates free/busy information. This option can only be used when you can connect to the Microsoft Exchange server.
/clearprofile
Delete the invalid profile keys and recreate the default registry keys where applicable.
/clean
Start Outlook with a clean Personal Folders (.pst) file
/cleanreminders
Clean and regenerate reminders.
/clean rules
Starts Outlook and removes the client and server based rules.
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/cleanschedplus
Removes all Schedule+ data (busy, permissions, and .cal file) from the server and allows all Schedule+ 1.0 users to use and view Outlook calendar free/busy information.
/cleanserverrules
Starts Outlook and removes the server-based rules. It is only used with Exchange server accounts.
/cleansniff
Overrides the programmatic lock that determines which of your computers (when Outlook is running at the same time) processes meeting items. The blocking process helps prevent duplicate reminder messages. This option clears the lock on the computer used, allowing Outlook to process meeting items.
/clean signatures
Delete subscription messages and properties from subscription resources. Used with SharePoint alerts.
/clean views
Restores the default views. Use it with care, as any custom views you have created will be lost.
/designer
Starts Outlook without finding out if Outlook should be the default client on first run.
/to incorporate
Opens the specified message file (.msg) as an OLE insert. It is also used without command line parameters for standard OLE co-authoring.
/explorer
Open the new window in "browser" mode (link bar activated).
/Fmsgfilename
Opens the specified message file (.msg) or Microsoft Office Saved Search (.oss).
/first attempt
Starts Outlook as if it were running for the first time.
/pasta
Opens a new window in "folder" mode (navigation pane disabled).
/ vacationholfilename
Opens the specified .hol file.
/icalicsfilename
Opens the specified .ics file.
/importarprfpr_file_name
Starts Outlook and opens/imports the defined MAPI profile (*.prf). If Outlook is already open, place the profile to import at the next clean boot.
/UEfilenameolk
Opens the specified .olk file.
/launchtraininghelpasset ID
Opens a Help window with the Help topic specified inasset ID.
/metroemail name
Provides a way for the user to add an email name to the element. Use the full address or let the alias do the trick. It only works in conjunction with the /c command line parameter.
To use:
Outlook.exe /c ipm.note /mprueba@poremsky.com
Outlook.exe /c ipm.note /mdianep
/nopersonalizar
Starts Outlook without loading outcmd.dat (custom toolbars). With earlier versions of Outlook, the *.fav file does not load.
/no extensions
Starts Outlook with the extensions disabled but listed in the Add-ins Manager.
/nopollmail
Start Outlook without checking mail at startup.
/ no preview
Start Outlook with the Reading Pane disabled and remove the option toTo seemenu.
/pagemsgfilename
Prints the specified message (.msg). It doesn't work with HTML.
/profilename of profile
Loads the specified profile. If your profile name contains a space, enclose your profile name in quotation marks.
/profiles
Open itchoose profiledialogue regardless ofoptionsconfiguration inToolsmenu.
/recycle
Starts Outlook using an existing Outlook window, if one exists. It can be used in combination with /explorer or /folder. The Outlook shortcut on the quick launch bar uses the /recycle switch.
/reset folder names
Restores the default folder names (such asinput boxoSent elements) for default names in the current language of the Office user interface.
For example, if you first connect to your Outlook mailbox using a Russian user interface, the default Russian folder names cannot be changed. To change the default folder names to another language, such as Japanese or English, you can use this option to reset the default folder names after you change the user interface language or install a different language version of Outlook.
/redefinirpastas
Restores the missing folders to the default delivery location.
/resetnavpane
Clears and regenerates the navigation panel for the current profile. Delete all shortcuts and favorite folders. Has the same effect as deletingprofile name.xmlin your home directory.
/rpcdiag
Opens Outlook and displays the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Connection Status dialog box.
/sfile name
Loads the specified shortcut file (.fav). Use it to upload *.fav files created in earlier versions of Outlook.
/safe
Starts Outlook without extensions, reading pane, or toolbar customization.
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/insurance:1
You start Outlook with the reading pane disabled. New in Outlook 2003.
/insurance:2
Start Outlook without checking mail at startup. New in Outlook 2003.
/insurance:3
Starts Outlook with the extensions disabled but listed in the Add-ins Manager. Outlook 2003 only.
/insurance:4
Starts Outlook without loading Outcmd.dat (custom toolbars) and the *.fav file. Outlook 2003 only.
/selectpasta name
Starts Outlook and opens the specified folder in a new window.
To use:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Outlook.exe" /select Outlook:calendar
Outlook/select "Outlook:Inbox\Old Messages"
/Smell
Starts Outlook and forces detection of new meeting requests ininput boxand then add them to the calendar.
/toftfilename
Opens the specified .oft file.
/vvcffilename
Opens the specified .vcf file.
/vcalvcsfilename
Opens the specified .vcs file.
/Xxnk file name
Opens the specified .xnk file.
Routes to Outlook.exe
With Outlook 2010 and earlier, the path to Outlook.exe was pretty much the same between versions: just change the Office version number in the path to match your version. With the addition of Office 64-bit, Windows 64-bit, and Click-to-Run (C2R), there are up to 4 possible default paths for each version of Outlook.
Most users will have the Click to Run (C2R) version.
Outlook 2016 C2R 32 bits
C:\Arquivos de Programas (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\Outlook.exe
Outlook 2016 C2R 64 bits
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\Outlook.exe
Outlook 2016 64-bit MSI (Volume Licensing only)
C:\Archivos de programa\Microsoft Office\Office16\Outlook.exe
Outlook 2013 C2R 32 bits
C:\Archivos de programa (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office15\Outlook.exe
Outlook 2013 C2R 64 bits
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office15\Outlook.exe
perspective 2010
C:\Archivos de programa\Microsoft Office\Office14\Outlook.exe
Outlook 2010 sin Windows de 64 bits
C:\Archivos de programa (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\Outlook.exe
perspective 2007
C:\Archivos de programa\Microsoft Office\Office12\Outlook.exe
Outlook 2007 sin Windows de 64 bits
C:\Archivos de programa (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\Outlook.exe
perspective 2003
C:\Archivos de programa\Microsoft Office\Office11\Outlook.exe
Outlook 2003 sin Windows de 64 bits
C:\Archivos de programa (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office11\Outlook.exe
Published December 13, 2003. Last updated October 25, 2020.
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